Dedicated CDL-A Position Regional Fleet Position

CDL-A Dedicated Target Distribution Driver – Madison, WI

Hiring Area: Madison, WI • Terminal: Madison-area yard

Madison, WI Dedicated Regional 2020–2025 Tractors

A mid-sized regional carrier runs dedicated retail distribution freight for a major Target account out of Madison. Drivers cover WI/IL/MN/IA lanes on 2–4 night cycles, most weekends home, earning $1,400–$1,850 weekly ($72,800–$96,200 estimated annual).

Weekly Gross
$1,400–$1,850
Estimated Annual: $72,800–$96,200
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,250
Home Time Most weekends · 2–4 nights out
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Miles 2,200–2,500 paid
Freight Type Target Retail Account

Account Structure & Driver Role

The position operates inside a dedicated retail replenishment network rather than open-market freight. Drivers handle both distribution-center exchanges and live store deliveries for the same major customer.

  • Manages multi-stop appointments and retail receiving check-ins.
  • Performs drop-and-hook at distribution centers when trailers are ready.
  • Verifies seals, trailer numbers and delivery paperwork before departure.
  • Backs 53-foot dry vans into limited retail dock spaces.
  • Reports delays and exceptions to dispatch in real time.
  • Follows customer yard rules and safety procedures at every location.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Base earnings come from paid miles. Qualifying stop pay, detention and occasional activity payments push stronger weeks toward the upper end of the advertised range.

Weekly Gross Range $1,400–$1,850
Estimated Annual Range $72,800–$96,200
Typical Weekly (mid-range) ≈ $1,650
Base CPM $0.62–$0.68 per paid mile
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,250
Detention $25/hour after company threshold
Activity / Stop Pay $25 per qualifying stop
Payroll Weekly

Schedule, Home Time & Operating Cycle

Home Time Most weekends · 2–4 nights out
Typical Workweek 5–6 operating days
Operating Corridor WI / IL / MN / IA
Terminal Madison-area yard
Weekly Paid Miles 2,200–2,500

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractor Model Years 2020–2025
Tractor Makes Volvo VNL & Freightliner Cascadia
Transmission Automatic
Cabin & Safety Systems Samsara ELD, forward-facing cameras, collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise on selected units
Trailers 53' dry vans, mixed fleet roughly 3–8 years old
Assignment Assigned tractor when available; limited slip-seat for maintenance or repositioning

Sleeper configurations, air-ride suspension, sliding tandems and APUs on many units support regional nights out. Maintenance runs through company facilities and approved regional vendors.

Freight & Real Routes

Palletized general merchandise, dry goods, apparel, seasonal items and store-replenishment freight move through a dedicated Target retail distribution network serving southern Wisconsin and neighboring states.

  • Madison ↔ Oconomowoc / southeastern Wisconsin distribution network
  • Madison ↔ Milwaukee corridor on I-94
  • Madison ↔ Chicago and Rockford via I-90
  • Madison ↔ Minneapolis and Eau Claire
  • Madison ↔ Dubuque, IA
  • Primary highways: I-90, I-94, I-39, US-151, US-18, US-12, US-41, US-45
  • Dispatch may insert empty repositioning or intermediate store stops before the return leg

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Leave the Madison yard with a pre-loaded trailer toward the first appointment window.
  • Complete scheduled store or distribution-center deliveries, then reload or swap equipment.
  • Park overnight at approved truck stops or authorized customer yards.
  • Resume the next day based on remaining hours and updated appointments.
  • Head back toward Madison after the final delivery or reposition move.
  • Reset at home most weekends when volume and timing allow.

About the Carrier

Retail store replenishment depends on scheduled trailer movements that line up with inventory cycles and promotional calendars. A mid-sized regional carrier supplies that capacity by linking southern Wisconsin distribution points with Target stores across neighboring Midwest states. The operation runs on a dedicated trailer pool and established customer procedures instead of spot-market freight. Drivers alternate between drop-and-hook work at distribution centers and live store deliveries, keeping equipment circulating inside a consistent regional footprint. Volume stays steady through ordinary weeks and rises during seasonal retail peaks.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Medical / Dental / Vision Available after eligibility period
401(k) Company match according to plan terms
Paid Time Off Vacation after eligibility; paid holidays per policy
Additional Programs Paid orientation, driver referral, safety/performance incentives
Operational Support Company-paid tolls, authorized scales, roadside breakdown coordination

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL
  • 12+ months recent verifiable tractor-trailer experience preferred
  • Acceptable MVR under company insurance standards
  • No recent serious preventable accidents or major safety violations
  • Must meet all applicable DOT qualification requirements
  • Comfortable backing 53' trailers into retail receiving areas
  • No HazMat endorsement required for standard dry-van operation

Operational Delays

  • Weekday congestion around Madison and Milwaukee
  • Construction and traffic on I-90 and I-94
  • Winter snow, ice and reduced visibility
  • Chicago-area peak-hour delays
  • Dock congestion during back-to-school and holiday peaks
  • Occasional trailer holds or limited store dock space

Hiring Process

1
Application & Screen
Submit application; recruiter contact within one business day
2
Verification
CDL, MVR, employment history, drug screen, Clearinghouse query
3
Orientation
Paid account-specific training at Madison terminal
4
First Dispatch
Equipment assignment after all onboarding steps complete (typically 5–10 business days total)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Target the employer or the customer account? ▼
The employer is a mid-sized regional carrier. The freight is a dedicated Target retail distribution account.
Q: Do drivers deliver to Target stores or only to distribution centers? ▼
Both. Distribution-center moves are commonly drop-and-hook. Store deliveries involve live receiving, backing and interaction with store personnel.
Q: How many nights out is realistic? ▼
Most drivers run 2–4 nights out and return for most weekends when volume and appointments allow.
Q: How can weekly pay reach the upper end of the range? ▼
Base CPM on 2,200–2,500 paid miles is supplemented by qualifying stop pay ($25) and detention ($25/hour after threshold) when those apply.
Q: Are multiple stops common? ▼
Yes. Multi-stop routes occur regularly; the exact number depends on store density and the day’s freight.
Q: What happens if a store or DC holds the driver? ▼
Document arrival and departure times and contact dispatch. Qualifying customer-caused detention is paid according to company policy.
Q: Is winter driving part of the job? ▼
Yes. Snow, ice and reduced visibility affect I-90, I-94 and secondary roads. Dispatch adjusts timing or routing when conditions require it.
Q: Is a dedicated tractor provided? ▼
Drivers receive an assigned tractor when available. Limited slip-seat activity occurs for maintenance or equipment repositioning.
Q: Is HazMat required? ▼
No. Standard dry-van operation on this account does not require a HazMat endorsement.
Q: Can loaded trailers be left overnight anywhere? ▼
No. Loaded trailers must remain in approved truck stops, authorized customer yards or the Madison terminal. Customer security rules take priority.

CDL Job Market – Madison, WI

Madison maintains an active CDL-A hiring environment driven by dedicated retail, food distribution, LTL, manufacturing, regional dry van and intermodal traffic tied to Chicago and Milwaukee. Company-driver openings remain plentiful across national fleets, large dedicated carriers, LTL operators and Wisconsin-based regional outfits. Drivers with clean records and recent experience can compare predictable local work against higher-mile regional and dedicated accounts. Median weekly company-driver figures in the broader Wisconsin market typically fall in the mid-$1,400 range, placing a $1,400–$1,850 dedicated offer in a competitive position for this segment.

Location & Freight Market – Southern Wisconsin

Southern Wisconsin sits at a natural crossroads of Midwest retail and industrial corridors. The Madison–Milwaukee axis, supported by I-90 and I-94, continuously moves general merchandise, food products and manufactured goods toward Chicago, Minneapolis and Iowa markets. Large distribution centers in the southeastern part of the state feed store networks across multiple states. Seasonal retail peaks—back-to-school and holiday periods—increase outbound volume and tighten appointment windows. Agriculture, manufacturing and intermodal connections further stabilize year-round demand, keeping dedicated retail distribution lanes active throughout the calendar.

Start Your Application